Faced By Dissension

The original Cambria City Renewal Project was dropped in 1954 in part because of local opposition from residents and landowners. The neighborhood grew from the construction of company houses built by the owners of the local mills to house workers and their families. Over the years, workers bought or built homes in their ethnic neighborhoods; churches and clubs sprung up around them. What looked like a slum to outsiders was home to long-time Cambria City residents. Some of these people saw urban renewal activities as the destruction of their heritage and many resisted giving up their homes. Eminent Domain was invoked and many homes were purchased through condemnation.

"It was a painful experience", Mayor Walter was to say later. "Yet, the deterioration was in such a final state, we had to proceed; we envisioned a new, bright city ... the old timers there saw it as something else ... the destruction of the only homes they knew."

In order to advance the project and to help Cambria City residents, the Authority moved its offices to McConaughy Street in the heart of the renewal area. Thirty years later Walter viewed the Cambria City project as a "remarkable success, a success that enabled the city to move ahead into downtown and other areas. As I look at Cambria City now, I notice all the improvements on the other side of Broad Street (the area not involved in renewal) and it’s a delight to see how the residents cleaned up their properties as they sort of kept pace with the renewal. Cambria City is now a very attractive area.”

Following the 1977 Flood, nearly every remaining home in Cambria City was brought up to code and refurbished. More than ten ethnic churches are still located in Cambria City and are the pride of the community. Since the early 1980’s the Johnstown Area Heritage Association and other persons interested in local heritage preservation have selected Cambria City as the center for the development of a Heritage District. Numerous façade restorations have taken place in old storefronts. Without the demolition of the early 1960’s, one can imagine that these improvements might never have occurred.

Take a Walking Tour of Cambria City!